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HANOVER, MB, Sept. 23 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada announced today that the Rural Municipality of Hanover, has been approved for an infrastructure loan as part of Canada's Economic Action Plan.

The announcement was made by the Honourable Vic Toews, President of the Treasury Board, on behalf of the Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development Canada and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Reeve Stan Toews, elected head of the Rural Municipality of Hanover.

The Rural Municipality of Hanover has been approved for a $3,000,000 low-cost loan from CMHC's Municipal Infrastructure Lending Program (MILP), for the construction of a new wastewater treatment facility for the community of Mitchell. The new facility has been designed to allow the community's population to grow to 4,000 persons.

"Our Government understands the importance of infrastructure in maintaining strong and prosperous communities," said Minister Toews. "This program is opening the door for municipalities of all sizes to meet their housing-related infrastructure needs and create jobs. It's good news not only for Hanover, but also for Manitoba."

Canada's Economic Action Plan provides up to $2 billion in direct low-cost loans to municipalities, over two years, for housing-related infrastructure projects through the MILP. These low cost loans can also be used by municipalities to fund their contribution for cost-shared federal infrastructure programming.

"The Rural Municipality of Hanover is pleased to secure low interest long-term funding from the Federal Government through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation to assist the community of Mitchell in the construction of their new lagoon", Reeve Stan Toews said. "This facility will allow the community to see substantial growth over the next two decades and provides an interest rate that will result in the community saving approximately $500,000 over the next 15 years in interest costs."

Eligible projects include infrastructure related to housing services such as water, power generation and waste services, as well as local transportation infrastructure within and into residential areas, such as roads, sidewalks, lighting and green space.

As Canada's national housing agency, CMHC draws on more than 60 years of experience to help Canadians access a variety of quality, environmentally sustainable, and affordable homes - homes that will continue to create vibrant and healthy communities and cities across the country.

More information on this and other measures in Canada's Economic Action Plan, the federal government's plan to stimulate the economy and protect those hit hardest by the global recession, can be found at: www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Canada's Economic Action Plan provides up to $2 billion in direct low-cost loans to municipalities over two years through Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)'s Municipal Infrastructure Lending Program (MILP) for housing-related infrastructure projects in towns and cities across the country.

These infrastructure loans are available to any municipality within Canada and will provide a new source of funds for municipalities to invest in housing-related infrastructure projects. Only infrastructure projects serving new or existing residential areas may be considered.

Eligible municipal infrastructure projects must directly relate to housing, thereby contributing to the efficient functioning of residential areas. Projects include infrastructure related to the provision of housing services such as water, wastewater and solid waste services; power generation; local transportation infrastructure within or into residential areas such as roads, bridges and tunnels; and residential sidewalks, lighting, pathways, landscaping and green space.

There will be a focus on funding projects that are shovel-ready, as this is a targeted, short-term, temporary measure intended to create jobs.

These low-cost loans will significantly decrease the cost of borrowing for municipalities and can be used by them to fund their contribution for cost-shared federal infrastructure programming.

Eligible loans will be approved largely on a first-come, first-served basis, provided the proposal meets eligibility requirements. However, CMHC will also seek to facilitate equitable access to the program and will work to encourage applications from urban and rural municipalities across Canada.

CMHC will screen applications against program eligibility, readiness to proceed and Canadian Environmental Assessment Agency (CEAA) requirements.